Event information

15 March 2018, 12:30-14:30

Downloads

Flyer >

Accountability in Syria: The Role of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism

Geneva Academy Talks

Aleppo. Buses await to enter Eastern Aleppo to evacuate civilians while sporadic fighting continues and houses are burning. Aleppo. Buses await to enter Eastern Aleppo to evacuate civilians while sporadic fighting continues and houses are burning.

full IBA logo BLUE 400px wide 2

In December 2016, five years into the armed conflict in Syria, the UN General Assembly created the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism on international crimes committed in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIIM). Complementing the long-term work of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria, the objective of the IIIM is to facilitate and expedite fair and independent criminal proceedings for violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights perpetrated during the conflict.

This IHL Talk, co-organized with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), will discuss the IIIM’s work related to the existing and future national, regional or international investigations and prosecutions of the most serious crimes committed in Syria. It will also focus on the IIIM’s role regarding victims, by addressing issues such as collection of evidence, witness protection, psychosocial or medical support, and how the IIIM can contribute to the overall goal of ensuring justice for all victims and preventing future violations.

Moderator

  • Robert Roth, Professor of International Criminal Law at the University of Geneva and Director of the Geneva Academy

Panelists

  • Michelle Jarvis, Deputy Head of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism on international crimes committed in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIIM)
  • Bénédict de Moerloose, Head of Investigations & Criminal Law Division, TRIAL International
  • Ibrahim Al Kasem, Syrian lawyer

About IHL Talks

The IHL Talks are series of events, hosted by the Geneva Academy, on international humanitarian law and current humanitarian topics. Every two months, academic experts, practitioners, policy makers and journalists discuss burning humanitarian issues and their regulation under international law.

Video

Accountability in Syria The Role of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism

Watch the video of our IHL Talk on accountability in Syria and the role for the International, Impartial & Independent Mechanism (IIIM) co-orgamized with with IBAHRI, with:

  • Benedict de Moerloose, TRIAL International
  • Michelle Jarvis, IIIM Deputy Head 
  • Ibrahim Al Kasem, Syrian Lawyer

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Mô Bleeker News

UNSG Special Adviser Mô Bleeker Becomes Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy

15 April 2025

Mô Bleeker, UNSG Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, shares how her work as Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy contributes to our shared goals.

Read more

disops News

Impact of digital disinformation unpacked in new research brief series

9 April 2025

Our new series of Research Briefs examine the impact of digital disinformation and potential solutions for its regulation

Read more

Special Rapporteur Sign Event

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in an Era of Escalating Armed Conflict: Where Can International Human Rights Law Help?

25 September 2025, 18:30-20:00

This evening dialogue will present the publication: International Human Rights Law: A Treatise, Cambridge University Press (2025).

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

15-19 September 2025

Participants in this training course will gain practical insights into UN human rights mechanisms and their role in environmental protection and learn about how to address the interplay between international human rights and environmental law, and explore environmental litigation paths.

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more